Mike Vale's Bygone Days of Steam

Stafford

7.16 pm Saturday 7 December 1946

location Down fast line just south of Stafford no 4 signal box.

The 4.35 pm stopping passenger train from Coventry to Stafford was standing on the down fast line with engine opposite Stafford no 4 signal box when it was run into in the rear by the 3.45 pm express passenger train from Euston to Liverpool Lime street.

cause

signalman’s error,He accepted the Liverpool express before the stopping train had passed through the section.

Formation

The stopping train—2-6-4 tank engine no 2487 with four bogie vehicles lightly loaded with Passengers.

The Liverpool express—Patriot class 4-6-0 no 5500 Patriot (pilot engine and Patriot class 4-6-0 no 5512 Benson(train)engine )with 13 bogie vehicles.

Damage

The near coach of the local train was telescoping between the second and third coaches .The express train was virtually undamaged .

Casualties

One Passenger died in Hospital and one was injured

Signalling Absolute block with semaphore signals.

Possible safety measures.

Track circuiting and the associated controls would have presented this accident.